Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What's Everybody Else Doing(winter)

Ok, Cycling went straight downhill after a fantastic indian summer the early part of november.
For those not fortunate enough to live in warm climes (hey, I consider 45 warm) I ask: What do you do to stay active over the winter.
The family got me a 3 month membership (it'll get me thru till march)with a fitness club and via a complimentary certificate I discovered YOGA (yeah,I'm hooked..I never thought I could do a crane stance,much less with my arms over my head,and not fall over)
I got all the wheels built.
All the snow is 40 miles south of me
The winds (off Lake Erie) have been raw this year and if we've had a day without rain or wet snow in a month I must have missed it.
I miss cycling. (yeah,I've got the rollers..but after an hour the magic is gone)

What is this winter that you speak of?

I've not cycled since the indian summer ended either. I am quite fond of Yoga, but alas I've really not done much physical activity for the last two weeks.

Well, so far, I tried swimming, but the mind numbing tedium of it had me about to go on a homicidal spree. I'm pretty sure the gym would get the same reaction out of me. :twitchy:

Fortunately, even though I live in Sweden, it's been amazingly mild this year so far and after finding some nice thin, but very warm wool thermals and a few other cold weather items, it's not the temps stopping me, it's ice and snow. Thankfully, the 2 feet of snow we got about a week ago is gone and I've gotten a couple rides in this week.

I think I'll probably have to resort to a trainer for my 'bent trike if we get any snow and ice that sticks around. Dig out my weights and at least have the TV to stare at as I pedal and flex and yoga. Watch Swedish shows and movies to improve my language skills as I work out. :p

Hiking and returning to the gym.

At least 20 miles a day on the rollers. Swimming is great as I have reduced my mile distance swims by quite a bit. I also will use the treadmills at least three times a week to work on some interval training.

Hey, I got an off-the-wall idea - how about riding your bike? Crazy I know, but it works for me.
As you can see from my avatar, riding in the cold air is good for your complexion.

Hey, I got an off-the-wall idea - how about riding your bike? Crazy I know, but it works for me.
As you can see from my avatar, riding in the cold air is good for your complexion.

I thought the Playboy cover avatar was nicer, Chipcom.

I've replaced my outside bicycle rides with trainer rides in the basement.

Other than that I have been running on the treadmill and playing raquette ball

I've replaced my outside bicycle rides with trainer rides in the basement.

Other than that I have been running on the treadmill and playing raquette ball


Do you play racquetball in a league or just play against friends? We had a men's league, but it has really dropped down to just a few people that play on certain mornings before work. I used to play 3 -5 times a week, but I haven't played in almost a year.

Do you play racquetball in a league or just play against friends? We had a men's league, but it has really dropped down to just a few people that play on certain mornings before work. I used to play 3 -5 times a week, but I haven't played in almost a year.

Both, the league is almost done for the year and I am an impressive 1-9 :lol:

When I don't have a league match I play with my friends from work in either singles or cut throaght. We tried doubles but four people on the court is a tad dangerous.

I got some cold weather gear and will still get out on the road/MUP throughout the winter. For the days that are too miserable I've got a trainer, but it's not the same at all.

Riding is certainly an option as long as there's not snow or severe cold (and given that you live in western NY, your idea of "severe cold" and mine are pretty much the same). Getting a trainer is an option, gym is an option - but if you do either, I'd suggest being somewhat systematic about it and developing a progressive program. I'd also do a bunch of strength training over the winter, if I were in your situation. Aside from that, you can try another indoor activity. Mine's aikido.

I'm going to ride. It gives me the perfect excuse to buy more bike stuff like some cold weather gear, along with some rain gear.

I'm also going to be building a couple of bikes.

Wool base layers, winter tights, booties, balaclava, and studded tires if necessary. I don't throw in the towel unless the temperature hits single digits.

I haven't been on my bike in about 4 weeks. No daylight during the week, and its been too cold for me on the weekends. Here's what I do instead: I joined a volleyball league on Tuesdays, 5-7 trips to the gym per week for elliptical/treadmill and weight training, spin class on Sundays, and I just ordered some rollers because I'm itching to get back on the bike again.

I have just been toughing it out. Im young, and stupid, so It works. But I move from South Carolina to Pennsylvania in January. I dont think my stupidity will help me there

I just ride. It's 90% mental, 10% physical discomfort in winter once you get down to it. Heck, sometimes I wonder if I prefer it to 90+ degree summers.

I just ride. It's 90% mental, 10% physical discomfort in winter once you get down to it. Heck, sometimes I wonder if I prefer it to 90+ degree summers.


I would rather ride in 110 degrees with 90% humidity rather than ride in the cold. I don't mind sweating and drinking more fluids. I hate being cold and now that I am losing more fat, I hate it even more.

Been in the gym doing circuit training and using the virtual stationary bike--gives me something to look at at least other than the wall. Tried a few spin classes but couldn't stand it. It's not too bad using the gym--I discovered the rowing machine and have been enjoying that, as it uses different muscles then pedaling.

Oh, and the sauna--the sauna is the BEST part of the gym.:thumb:

I would rather ride in 110 degrees with 90% humidity rather than ride in the cold. I don't mind sweating and drinking more fluids. I hate being cold and now that I am losing more fat, I hate it even more.

Ditto that!

I've been doing a little bit of everything. The wife and I will play racquetball, run on the tread mill, swim; my current favorite, the rowing machine. Yes, I still get 'dressed up' and go out for a ride. My limits are ice on the road and lots of rain. After that, I'll try to ride.

As for getting cold due to fat loss, count me in. We went home for Thanksgiving and my mother keeps the house around 65 F. I was freezing. I don't mind the cold, but I'm not use to it inside.

D

I would rather ride in 110 degrees with 90% humidity rather than ride in the cold. I don't mind sweating and drinking more fluids. I hate being cold and now that I am losing more fat, I hate it even more.

Come on down in July. We can do a group ride, lol.

Come on down in July. We can do a group ride, lol.

I should move down. Perhaps a nice Texas bank will have a place for me. Is WaMu hiring?

I should move down. Perhaps a nice Texas bank will have a place for me. Is WaMu hiring?

How many people do you know that have moved from TX to PA?

It's swimming, the gym, and the indoor walk/run track at the community centre for me. Right now I'm looking at the weather report for the next 5 days and all I see is pure misery -- ice, sleet, and sub 0 celsius wind chill weather. Yep, I need to dust off the gym shoes and skeedadle to the gym.

I rode my ass in on the bike this cold morning. I need a pair of shoe covers, otherwise I could ride in this weather (with light wind) every day of the week. There were a few icy patches, but few enough that they were easily identifiable and easily avoidable.

Inside, I've been hitting the elipitcal mostly as i work myself into shape from walking to running. Its a similar enough to running that Im really training my legs, but reducing the number of days I put shock into the knees.

I'll be on the treadmill some, though I hate them. Ive found reading helps. Listening to music doesnt do enough.

And I'll start swimming at some point too. Need to get back into that full swing for the triathlon.

Ski!

XC trails have been open for skate for a few weeks now, the lifts start turning at the local hill this weekend, and the precious, precious powder is beginning to pile up in my backcountry stashes.

Ranger63,

We are practically neighbors. I still commute daily on my bike. Today I had to take the car as I had to take some equipment to a customer to install. As luck would have it today is supposed to be in the low 40's and dry till tonight. So I miss a very nice day. Tomorrow it will be rainy again. Either way I've been amazed at how relatively dry I've stayed even though we are in the middle of the rainiest time of the year. It IS very windy out there. Add studded snow tires to my ride and now I am MUCH slower than during the summer. The up side is that my 5 mile ride into work is now more work and therefore I get a better workout doing the same commute. I'll be the 1st to admit that pleasure rides have nearly vanished and now do pretty much only commuting.

If the club you joined has some spinning classes, by all means go to them... you will not believe how hard you'll work out. I also have found pilates to be amazing for core strength. I do sort of miss having the club membership, but can't justify the expense. Anything that keeps you moving will help get you through the winter. One thing I have found is that I work in an office without windows. With the daily bike commuting I have not been missing the day light. Any day I take the car, then I realy feel the lack of connection to the outside. There is just no substitute for spending a nice 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening getting "fresh" air. Even if it is cold and misarable, I still feel good when I get to my destination.

Happy riding,
André

ski + rollers + ice hockey

Come on down in July. We can do a group ride, lol.

We have those days in southwest Iowa now. I am the only idiot our riding my bike on the highway. Everyone else is laughing at me in their 4 wheel drive pickups with 4 doors and the A/C running on full.

I spent a summer in San Antonio with my father afte my parents split up. I was the kid playing basketball for hours in the afternoon, while the others were in the A/C.

I would love to do a group ride there. I just can't afford to go there. Maybe someday.

I'll ride in the cold as long as its not below 30 degrees. After that it gets really miserable. I will do some riding on the trainer but that really gets boring quick.

i suffered through a brutal 50 degree cold front here in Miami ;) , I was able to ride but had to gear up in a long sleeve shirt and a wool cap. Fortunately I was able to wear my biking shorts and didn't need any additional leg protection. I think the wool cap really did the trick.

i suffered through a brutal 50 degree cold front here in Miami ;) , I was able to ride but had to gear up in a long sleeve shirt and a wool cap. Fortunately I was able to wear my biking shorts and didn't need any additional leg protection. I think the wool cap really did the trick.

Yeah, this morning, I had to drop my sweatband down over my ears, 42 low. Tomorrow: low 55, high 75--that's more like it.

Hey, I got an off-the-wall idea - how about riding your bike? Crazy I know, but it works for me.
As you can see from my avatar, riding in the cold air is good for your complexion.

As much as I hate agree with such a visage, what is this winter you speak of? I sold the car this summer after only driving 35-40 days last year.

It should be fine...?

This is my first winter as a cyclist so I'm still sorting out what my limits are going to be. We rode through some chilly, windy conditions in Nov., but the real test of my resolve is starting now. With proper clothing I'm pretty sure I can hang in there until there is ICE... that might stop me. At 60, I am pretty wary of getting some injury that might linger and limit my biking later when conditions improve.

I have weight rooms and all sorts of aerobic goodies like bike simulators in the building I work in (university) so I will do some of that.

Down here (Dallas area), I just keep doing the same old same old.

When we lived in Fort Collins, CO, I hiked in the summer and hiked or snowshoed in the winter. (Lower elevation trails were usually hikeable all winter, though maybe having a foot of snow, longer trails in the mountains were snowshoeable). On weekdays, that usually involved hiking through the woods in the dark. :)

I'd also do a bunch of strength training over the winter, if I were in your situation. Aside from that, you can try another indoor activity. Mine's aikido.

I really miss aikido (http://www.shobu.org) on nearly a daily basis and it's been almost 8 years since I last trained. 7 years of it until I ran out of $ in grad school. :(

I am still riding in the cold, although I'm balking a bit at shelling out $150 for studded tires for when the roads start to get icy. I may look into a 3 month membership at the gym up the street, where I'll ride their stationary 'bent and rowing machines. I should also pull out my kettlebells and sandbag.

I am still riding when I get out of work early enough. However, I ride single track and I stay warmer in the wooded trails than on the road.

I rode 50 miles of dirt last week which is a personal record.

11 degrees this morning, 7 of the 10 miles into a headwind. I think this is the first time I've acknowledged it was "cold".

Then again, everyone at work complained about how cold they were in their cars. Only part of me that was really cold was my feet, and that was from not wearing the winter boots (like I should have). Doh.

Just ride. Keep doing it. It's actually fun, in a sick sort of way.

I wore my sandals today on my ride to work since Texas is such an inferno! :innocent:

Ok I did wear sandals with seal skins and wool socks because it was below 30! below 30 I say!!! Oy My brother in law was down here this week and he was like where the heck am I, I thought this was Texas! Last night the wife and I drove somewhere and the heat didnt' start even blowing hot air till we were in the parking lot and she was absolutely freezing all the way wearing layers and a jacket while I wore shorts and a short sleave shirt.

I'm just going to ride ride ride and then ride some more. Strangly I think I'm going to going to the gym less now but mostly because of the dark I think. I thought I saw snow for a second this morning and I got so excited but it was just the dust I kicked up :(

I signed up for a new gym on Wednesday and got a personal trainer. So I'll be doing a good bit of weight training to build up my un-developed muscle groups and hopefully strengthen the joints.

I have an indoor fluid trainer, but I hate riding it as not being able to rock the bike makes my butt sore quickly. I don't mind Spin classes though, somehow the heavier weight of the spin bicycle and the fact you're standing more than half of the class makes it doable to me, so I'll be doing that at my new gym. I will ride some outside when the wind isn't too bad. The cold doesn't really get to me even at sub-freezing temps but the wind does when it's anything above 15mph in the winter.

I've actually managed to ride three times this week. Not long rides (only about 50 miles total for the week), but it still felt good. I think I'll try to get another ride in this weekend unless we get hit with snow and ice. *fingers crossed*

will continue to commute daily, run errands and grocery shop as much as possible. I don't exercise regularly or watch my diet but seem to lose more weight in the winter. Probably because its much more work to get anywhere and less tempting to just go out for fast food or buying . I won't be doing any distance rides or using a trainer with the studded tires so only functional riding.

I think my gym membership expired since they sent me a payment book, not sure if I'll renew- haven't been there since the car died. Aikido sounds nice and agrees more with my personality but some of the harder martial arts are tempting also. This is an instance where having a car would create a little more time in my day.